Yesterday morning at 8:30, I told the youth to get in the vehicles. We were heading to the Bethesda nursing homes to lead worship at three locations, and I wanted plenty of time to make sure everything was set up properly. I headed upstairs to put a check in the secretary's box while the others went out. On the way up, I decided I should put the check on her desk and entered the sanctuary to grab my office key from the box where I keep it. It wasn't there.
Professionals painted the sanctuary last week, so most stuff had been moved - my music to the third floor. I thought the key might have been placed there somehow, but when I investigated I couldn't find it. Back in the sanctuary, Ron asked, "Where's the organ key? I came on Friday to practice but couldn't find the key." The organ key is on the same ring as the office key; I told Ron about my dilemma, looked around the organ some more, and went back up to the third floor - without success. I called the pastor, who promised to come over with the office key and let me in to look for an extra organ key.
Meanwhile, the youth were still waiting in the vehicles. I was thinking furiously; what should I do? I couldn't leave the church until the organ key was found; there was no way anyone else would be able to find an extra key, though I didn't know if I would be able to find one, either. Should I send the youth on to set up and trust that they could start without me if necessary? I went outside, stepped around indecisively a few times, then went to the window of our van and told Daniel, "My organ key is missing." He turned to the back seat and said, "Zach, where did you put the organ key?"
I thought he was joking - what would Zach know about it? - but Zach replied, "I put it in the box." The two of them had been practicing the day before, and the key was hidden in the bottom of the box. I found it, Ron started practicing, and we made it to the nursing home in plenty of time.
Though I didn't consciously or formally pray, God was watching over the whole situation. If I hadn't looked for the office key, if Ron had been ten minutes later, OR if I hadn't mentioned the situation to Daniel, Ron would have been playing the piano or I would have missed the nursing home service. But the Lord orchestrated everything so that the lost was found. Praise Him!
Showing posts with label nursing home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nursing home. Show all posts
Monday, April 30, 2012
Monday, April 25, 2011
An Easter Blessing
We're hosting my sister's six kids for a couple of days while she and her husband are at a wedding in South Carolina (90 degrees there yesterday). To celebrate Easter and serve, Pete wanted us to go caroling in a nursing home - the residents get so much traffic and attention at Christmas time, but very little, we were guessing, for Easter. When he called, the gal suggested we come on Saturday instead, and sing in a gathering room where they have coffee from 2-3. Pete figured we could pick up the Jones kids at my brother's at 1:15, then head to the nursing home - perfect timing.
I was not too excited for several reasons: I still have no voice; we had two services, a church Easter breakfast and a family Easter dinner to prepare for; we didn't know what, if any, of "our" songs the Jones kids also know. But since I can't talk, I had time to think it over, and decided not to "say" anything. I figured I could do the necessary shopping while they were in the nursing home (since I couldn't really help), so I wouldn't lose any time.
When we got there, Pete wanted me to come in, possibly to play the piano or generally be another adult presence. The residents thoroughly enjoyed the six or eight songs they sang, especially "Amazing Grace", which they knew, and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," requested by Abigail, age 3, who sang it enthusiastically. Pete & the 3 older boys sang "Beneath the Cross of Jesus," beautifully, as they had done Good Friday at church.
Afterward, Pete had prepared the children to go around, shake hands and introduce themselves. Here, Abigail was the star of the show. I held her hand and we went around to each lady there (there were no men). As they cooed over her cuteness, she shook each hand, smiled and announced, "My name is Abi and I'm 3 and I play with REAL toys." We were the last ones out, waving and calling, "Bye!"
Despite my negative attitude beforehand, that event blessed me as well as everyone there. Thank You, Lord!
I was not too excited for several reasons: I still have no voice; we had two services, a church Easter breakfast and a family Easter dinner to prepare for; we didn't know what, if any, of "our" songs the Jones kids also know. But since I can't talk, I had time to think it over, and decided not to "say" anything. I figured I could do the necessary shopping while they were in the nursing home (since I couldn't really help), so I wouldn't lose any time.
When we got there, Pete wanted me to come in, possibly to play the piano or generally be another adult presence. The residents thoroughly enjoyed the six or eight songs they sang, especially "Amazing Grace", which they knew, and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," requested by Abigail, age 3, who sang it enthusiastically. Pete & the 3 older boys sang "Beneath the Cross of Jesus," beautifully, as they had done Good Friday at church.
Afterward, Pete had prepared the children to go around, shake hands and introduce themselves. Here, Abigail was the star of the show. I held her hand and we went around to each lady there (there were no men). As they cooed over her cuteness, she shook each hand, smiled and announced, "My name is Abi and I'm 3 and I play with REAL toys." We were the last ones out, waving and calling, "Bye!"Despite my negative attitude beforehand, that event blessed me as well as everyone there. Thank You, Lord!
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